Impressions of first new bike in 13 years!
Megatron-UK
Posts: 91
I took delivery of my new Kona Dawg Deluxe last week, which is my first new bike in almost 13 years.
Sadly after putting it together I found that despite losing over half a stone in the last month (combination of diet and riding at least 3 times a week), I was still too much of a fatty for the standard shock and forks!
So I had to buy both a low pressure and high pressure pump to get the right level of sag. I also ended up getting a few upgrades at the same time; XT shifters, XT front mech, XT cassette, DMR V12 mags and a WTB Laser V SLT saddle... none of them strictly necessary, but hey!
First ride out was the other night and the improvement over my old Lava Dome was immediate; everything is just so effortless; the shifters only need the slightest touch to shift up or down, and the plushness of the suspension means I can still sit and pedal where I used to stand to absorb the bumps and the brakes just seem to grab the wheel. Fantastic.
Of course it was all being too good be true and I had my first puncture in a month on the ride home! There are certain things that never change!
A new box of inner tubes has just been ordered....
Off to Kielder with some mates from work next weekend, and I can't wait!
Sadly after putting it together I found that despite losing over half a stone in the last month (combination of diet and riding at least 3 times a week), I was still too much of a fatty for the standard shock and forks!
So I had to buy both a low pressure and high pressure pump to get the right level of sag. I also ended up getting a few upgrades at the same time; XT shifters, XT front mech, XT cassette, DMR V12 mags and a WTB Laser V SLT saddle... none of them strictly necessary, but hey! First ride out was the other night and the improvement over my old Lava Dome was immediate; everything is just so effortless; the shifters only need the slightest touch to shift up or down, and the plushness of the suspension means I can still sit and pedal where I used to stand to absorb the bumps and the brakes just seem to grab the wheel. Fantastic.
Of course it was all being too good be true and I had my first puncture in a month on the ride home!
There are certain things that never change!A new box of inner tubes has just been ordered....
Off to Kielder with some mates from work next weekend, and I can't wait!
Kona Dawg Deluxe ('07)
Kona Lava Dome ('95)
Losing weight and (slowly) getting fitter...
Kona Lava Dome ('95)
Losing weight and (slowly) getting fitter...
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Comments
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Glad you're enjoying your new bike, but personally, I wouldn't have bothered upgrading those various bits (apart from pedals) until the old ones wore out.
Also, did you know you can get pumps that work for high and low pressure, with an interchangeable dial?0 -
I know, it has all been a little extravagant
Kona Dawg Deluxe ('07)
Kona Lava Dome ('95)
Losing weight and (slowly) getting fitter...0 -
Megatron - nice one!
My 2007 Stumpy was a bit of a revelation having hung into my 1997 Stumpy for 10 years (upgrading as bits broke/fell off) - things really have moved on!0 -
I know; you don't think components as simple as those on a bike could improve so dramatically in ~10 years. But they have!
I'm going to have to drag the old bike up to date when I can afford it!Kona Dawg Deluxe ('07)
Kona Lava Dome ('95)
Losing weight and (slowly) getting fitter...0 -
personally it think all those investments go back into the industry and ensure the rapid rate of engineering improvement that we all enjoy! well done mate!Kona Coiler (05)
Kona Fire Mountain0 -
Nice bike, mister!0
